The Motley Moose - Recent Comments

63 going up to 84 with thunderstorms predicted for

DeniseVelez — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:51:13 GMT

the Hudson Valley of NY.

Thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Oklahoma City.

65 degrees in Madison WI

JanF — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:31:30 GMT

It's unfortunate...

slksfca — Tue, 21 May 2013 07:30:33 GMT

...that very few of us will ever get the chance to see the play performed (I never have), because the musical version has outranked it in the imagination of theatergoers. I have read the play, and it's very funny. Nearly as good as the original novel, which I love to recommend to people as a great vacation book. It's bubbly, hilarious, and also at times quite touching, and in addition provides a crash course in the popular culture of the '20s and '30s thanks to the author's many sly and humorous cultural references.

And no wonder readers in the '50s adored it: for us today it would be like reading a comic novel about the 1980s and '90s, an era that many adults of a certain age still clearly remember. :-)

britain is on this too

jlms qkw — Tue, 21 May 2013 06:44:47 GMT

they had hearings last week.

I check with my insurance agent more often these days.

Melanie in IA — Tue, 21 May 2013 03:28:09 GMT

It's a good idea to do a basic property insurance review every few years, whether you've moved or not, whether you own the same vehicles... there are a lot of things that change insurance needs.

If you have upgraded your home, added outbuildings, changed drivers, you may need different insurance.

We have extra insurance for musical instruments (several saxophones), FFDIL's diamond engagement ring (which is considered a "conditional gift" in Iowa, so we need to continue to insure it until they are married), and a few other items.

We also have an umbrella policy, which provides liability coverage above and beyond our homeowner's and auto policies. It's cheap, and could preserve our assets and income in case of a claim against us.

So YES, talk to your agent. Discuss state and regional issues, changes in circumstances, and other concerns. Their job is to help you manage risk.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

Excellent advice, Melanie

cassandracarolina — Tue, 21 May 2013 02:25:54 GMT

I have been working on a spreadsheet summarizing information on belongings that might be subject to a future claim, and scanning receipts and organizing digital photos. Once you have a list, adding new items is an easy task.

I tend to have more insurance than some people. In Texas, for instance, I checked with my agent before moving here. Plenty of quirks in coverages versus New Engand. Here in Texas, I have "slab insurance" in case of cracks in the slab (a real possibility during drought) or if broken pipes or other problems make it necessary to cut into the slab.

Sadly, even having homeowner's insurance plus flood insurance and wind insurance isn't a guarantee of smooth handling of claims. When your deductible is several percent of the value of your home, many people do not have that money on hand.

My sister-in-law had interior flooding from a broken pipe in her wall, and her deductible was $11,000. She needed to pay that just to get work underway to prevent further damage such as more walls and ceilings needing to be replaced, mold growing, etc. Many Texans are STILL settling claims from Hurricane Ike. Attorneys are the only ones making out well on these extended claim issues.

In general, though, I have found insurance companies and agents to be knowledgable and helpful. You are right to suggest that peopke TALK to them!!

Now I wish I had seen the play or read

Portlaw — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:40:38 GMT

the book. But. your diary brought them both alive for those of us in Mooseland. After all, we all know as you reminded us, that Scientia potentia est !